Tank vent device



1930. J. a. HOLTSON 1,784,067

TANK VENT DEVICE Filed March 3, 1927 gwuentoz Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I JAMES B. HOLTSOiN, OF BAI ITIIOBE, IABYLAHD, ABSIGNOB TO THE HUFFMAN Im- FACTURING COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO- TANK VENT DEVICE Application filed larch 3,1927. Serial No. 172,488.

This invention relates to accessories for use in connection wlth storage tanks for combustible liquids, articularly gasoline or other.

similar fuels, in ricating oils and the like.

It is well known that the tanks commonly provided at automobile service stations and many other places for the storage of gasoline and lubricating oils, and storage tanks for liquid fuel for domestic and industrial burn- 1 ers are usually underground and provided with certain inlet means whereby the supply therein may be replenished from time to time. It is also known that it is customary to provide a vent device whereby airwithin the tank may escape when liquid is introduced, and whereby air may be rmitted to pass in or out in accordance wit its expansion or contraction within the tank responsive to temperature variations. Regardless of whether the tank be located above or below ground or whether it be stationary or mounted upon a car or other wheeled vehicle, vent ing means of some character is necessary. It is also necessary that the vent device be of such construction as to embody a wire screen or gauze which will operate to prevent any flame, resulting from any cause, from entering-the tank and exploding the contents.

It is with the above facts in view that I have designed-. i fihe present invention which has for its general object the provision of a novel or improved vent device embodying a flame checking screen or gauze and provided .with easily applicable means for maintain-' ing the gauze in position while permitting it to be removed in case of necessity, as for .instanoe cleaning purposes, said maintaining means being of a clampin nature so as to avoid the use of solder .Whic .would melt and permit dropping out of the screen in case of fire when its presence is most needed. 1

vide a vent device of such construction that the elements or rtions thereof establishin communication tween the atmosphere an the interior of the tank in connection with which it is used are'so arranged and located as to permit free circulation of 'air while preventi the ingress of rain, snow or dirt.

A flirt er object of the invention is to provide a vent device of this character conslstlng of the minimum number of parts so as to be extremely simple and inexpensive Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of the invention showing it mounted upon a fragment of a vent pipe,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view withthe vent pipe in section. A

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates an upstanding vent pipe'which leads from a storage tank, not shown. for liquids such as fuels and oils of various" kinds. The device itself is ldesignated generally at 2 and preferably coniprises a single elongated shell 3 conveniently formed as a casting. The shell has its bottom open except for a central portion 4 which is apertured at 5 and threaded for connection with or mounting upon the pipe 1. The provision of this central portion 4 defines openlimitation as to the specific configuration. Another object of the invention is to promeans might provided for the purpose of holding these screen members in place, I prefer to employ retaining means formed as open frame members 8 of such size and shape as to be received within the openings 6 with the screen wire jammed or compressed between the sides of these frame members and the adjacent walls ofthe openings 6. The

members 8 are provided with outstanding flanges 8 which overhe the edges of the openings 6 so as to prevent the members 8 from being forced too far into the shell whenthe parts are assembled.

Inthe operation it will of course be apparent that when the tank is filled the air therein displaced by the inflowing liquid will pass through the pipe 1, into the shell 3 and out through the open frame members 8. If the air or gas within the tank expands as it will during a rise in temperature the air will pass out in the same manner, and in case of contraction as the result of a lowered temperature air may enter the tank through the device. In view of the fact that the screens 7 are located in the path of any air currents to or from the tank and as it is well known that a flame will not pass through a screen of proper mesh, any danger of explosion will be avoided.

From the foregoing description and a study of'the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed,

invention or the scope of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the the appended claim. I

Having thus described the invention, I claim: p

A tank vent device comprising a single integral hollow body with a convex'ly curved top and a plane flat bottom, the bottom being formed with a central opening adapted to receive a pipe and being further formed with other openings located near the ends, sleeve members telescopically engaged within the second named openings, and wire screen covering said second named openings and irictionally held in place by said sleeve memers.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

1 JAMESB. HOLTSON.

kind to enter. Any dirt blown in will of course be stopped by the screen or gauze. If,

in the course of time, it should ever become necessary to clean the screen or screens, it is obvious that the screen retaining elements may be detached to permlt removal and replacement of the screens in a very simple and expeditious manner.

A distinct feature of advantage is that the wire screen or gauze is held in place simply by clamping means there being no solder whatso'ever used. This detail is in accordance with the requirements of the underwriters who prohibit the use of solder for the reason that such will melt and permit the screen to drop out in case of fire when thepresence of the screen is most urgently required. The

clamping means will maintain its holding action regardless of any heating effects and the device will be consequently safe under any and all conditions.

While. I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is simply an exemplification of the general principles involved and that the right is reserved to make such changes in the detailsof construction and the arrangement and combination of 

